Warning apparatus and method for avoiding eye stress

#1. Technical Field

#The invention relates to methods/apparatuses for avoiding eye stress and, in particular, relates to a warning method and apparatus for avoiding eye stress of computer users.

#2. Description of Related Art

#Many aspects of the present warning apparatus and warning method should be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present warning apparatus and warning method. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

#FIG. 1 is a functional diagram of a warning apparatus for avoiding eye stress, according to an exemplary embodiment.

#FIG. 2 is a schematic, isometric view of a computer using the warning apparatus of FIG. 1.

#Embodiments of the present warning apparatus and method will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

#Referring to FIG. 1, a warning apparatus 10 in accordance with an embodiment includes an imaging unit 110, a processing unit 120, a counter 130, and a warning unit 140. The imaging unit 110 is configured to capture a number of consecutive facial images of a computer user. The processing unit 120 is configured to process the facial images to obtain a number of values each indicative of a degree of openness of the eyes of the computer user while directed at a screen of the computer. The counter 130 is configured to count an amount of values exceeding a predetermined threshold to obtain accumulated viewing time of the computer user. The warning unit 140 is configured to trigger a warning means if the accumulated viewing time of the computer user satisfies a predetermined condition.

#Specifically, the processing unit 120 includes an image segmentation unit 122, and an edge approximation unit 124. The image segmentation unit 122 is configured to segment a facial image to detect/find the edge of the eyes in the captured image. The edge approximation unit 124 is configured to measure the distance between the detected edges of the eyes, to determine the degree of openness of the eyes, as the value. Opportunely, the processing unit 120 further includes a filter 126 such as mean filter. This filter 126 is configured to filter the segmented facial image so that noise in the facial image, which may cause errors, is removed before edge approximation is performed. If the users eyes are closed or averted from the screen, or the user is away from the computer, then it is determined that the user is not viewing the display of the computer at that time, then accumulated viewing time is not incremented.